Diversifying the Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications Workforce

We know diversity is lacking in the innovation, technology and telecommunications industry. We also know that diversity increases creativity, productivity, and profits. It is vital that industries so crucial to our country’s economic success leverage the proven benefits of diversity. ALLvanza focuses on empowering Latinos and young members of underserved communities at every point in their path towards fulfilling and impactful careers in the technology, telecommunications and innovation sectors.

ALLvanza works with Latinas and Gen Z Latinos to:

  • Empower, mentor, prepare and advance Latinos in the STEM fields
  • Encourage Latinos, of all ages, to pursue STEM education, certifications and other training to be successful in STEM fields
  • (Re)define technology jobs to fully convey the scope of career opportunities
  • Partner with key stakeholders to ensure Latinos and other underserved groups get the information, education, and tools necessary to prepare them to enter the innovation, technology and telecommunications fields
  • Create networking and mentorship opportunities designed to provide encouragement and build strong professional networks
  • Engage corporate partners to ensure they understand the urgency and opportunity of making their industries more inclusive, and advise them on tangible steps to make that a reality

ALLvanza’s Fireside Chat Initiative

The rapid pace of developments in the innovation, media, technology and telecommunications industries requires smart and effective policies to ensure that innovation serves all communities. And therefore, it is critical that policy leaders—working closely with all stakeholders—move quickly and strategically to ensure that innovation serves all communities and protects our rights and our wellbeing.

As part of its work to encourage the development of policies that protect the rights and promote the wellbeing of Latinos and other underserved communities, ALLvanza’s Fireside Chat initiative convenes federal and local policy makers for in-depth conversations focused on issues of equity and inclusion. The goal of the initiative is to create an exchange of ideas and identify strategies that lead to better policies and a more robust and diverse innovation ecosystem. And that will lead to real changes that will make a profound difference in the lives of all people living in the United States.

Programs’ Foundational Concepts

STEM Education

In order for Latinos, and other members of underserved communities, to be prepared and qualified for innovation, technology and telecommunications jobs it is critical we continue to create a pipeline of candidates equipped with a robust education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Unfortunately, STEM education has been routinely under-prioritized in school systems that have predominantly Latino and other underserved students.

To address this issue, ALLvanza employs a two-pronged approach:

First, we engage school officials, especially in underserved communities, to ensure they are aware of the importance of STEM education and encourage them to take the necessary steps to add STEM courses to their district’s curricula.

Second, we work with parents and students of all ages to help them understand the importance of STEM and get excited about the opportunities available through STEM education, including rewarding technical careers and lifelong hobbies.

 

(Re)defining Technology Jobs

It is a mistake to think that a “technology job” is restricted only to specific technical professions such as software development and network engineering. There are jobs in the technology and innovation industries open to individuals with technical skills at every level—from legal and creative services to construction and installation—and ALLvanza aims to educate our constituents and empower them to pursue a (re)defined technology job.

Program Mentors

Jose M. Hernandez

Astronaut

Bio

Fausto Guillen

US Navy Veteran 

Process Engineer at the Boeing Company Commercial Airplanes Division

Bio

Barbara Venegas-Donato

Senior Software Engineer 

3M’s Health Information Systems Division

Bio

Teresa Ramírez, Ph.D.

Program Manager 

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)

Bio

Darwin M Rivera-Ortiz

MBA, PMP, CISSP

Bio

Mario Lozoya

Executive Director & CEO

Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC)

Bio

Eric T. Gonzalez

Naval Officer

Bio